Which of the following statements is FALSE about systemic circulation?

DSSSB 14 August 2024

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

The statement that systemic circulation starts in the right ventricle is factually incorrect.
Systemic circulation begins when the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.
The right ventricle is the starting point for the separate pulmonary circulation pathway, which sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Option B: This statement is true. Systemic circulation is a high-pressure system because the left ventricle must generate enough force to pump blood throughout the entire body, from the head to the feet.
Option C: This statement is true. The systemic loop concludes when deoxygenated blood, having delivered oxygen to the body's tissues, returns to the right atrium through the superior and inferior venae cavae.
Option D: This statement is true. This is the correct starting point of systemic circulation. The powerful left ventricle contracts to eject oxygenated blood into the aorta, initiating the distribution to all body systems.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of Systemic Circulation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the two circulatory pathways is fundamental for assessing and diagnosing cardiovascular conditions. For example, symptoms of left-sided heart failure (e.g., pulmonary edema) are due to blood backing up into the pulmonary circuit, while symptoms of right-sided heart failure (e.g., peripheral edema) are due to blood backing up in the systemic circuit.
Blood pressure measurements are taken in the systemic circulation (usually the brachial artery) and reflect the high pressure generated by the left ventricle.
What if? If a patient has chronic, uncontrolled hypertension, the left ventricle must constantly work harder to pump blood against the high resistance in the systemic circulation. This increased workload can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle), which is a risk factor for heart failure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'systemic circulation'.
Next, notice the critical keyword 'FALSE'. This tells you that three of the options are true statements, and your task is to find the one incorrect statement.
Mentally review or sketch the path of blood flow in the systemic circuit: It starts in the left ventricle, goes to the body via the aorta, and returns to the right atrium via the vena cava.
Evaluate each option against this known pathway.
Option A states it starts in the right ventricle. This contradicts the known starting point. The right ventricle starts the pulmonary circuit.
Options B, C, and D all align with the known facts of systemic circulation (high pressure, ends in the right atrium, starts in the left ventricle).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Characteristics of Systemic Circulation
Stem keywords: systemic circulation, FALSE
Lead-in keywords: FALSE
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the FALSE statement, which means three of the options are true facts about systemic circulation.

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